‘Anamorphine’ to Shine a Light on Mental Health With an Introspective Trip Through Depression, Anxiety & Loss

Virtual reality is unique in its ability to allow you to immersively explore the interior of the imagination, including the darker sides of the psyche, the parts that we fear to confront, but inevitably wish to excise from the mind. That’s what Anamorphine is trying to accomplish with its deep, mind-bending dive into love, loss, and the mental anguish of seeing a loved one fall into depression.

Created by Artifact 5, Anamorphine follows Tyler, a young man in post-traumatic denial. Visiting his relationship with his wife Elena, you visit milestones of their relationship and experience the fallout of a tragic accident where Elena, a professional cellist, is robbed of her ability to play the cello, which compromises her livelihood and major emotional outlet.

In a reality-splitting feverdream, you experience Tyler’s mental turmoil as it warps his past and he struggles to come to terms with his guilt and inability to help Elena while she quietly slips into depression.

If you hadn’t already guessed, Anamorphine isn’t a game as such, providing no action buttons to allow for object interaction of any sort. Rather, you’re left with the choice to freely explore parts of Tyler’s past, and have to decide whether to move on, or let the overwhelming darkness consume you.

Artifact 5 will be showing Anamorphine at IndieCade October 6-8 in Los Angeles. The experience will be launching in winter 2017 on PC, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation 4, and Playstation VR.

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